Working in IB with ADHD/ADD
Incoming to a job with a FIG boutique. The deal flow has been crazy over the past two years, and it sounds like they're a really detail-oriented group (I asked the co-founder what advise he had for me, and he said "don't make mistakes, or learn from them quickly"). Problem: I have ADHD and I'm pretty sure it's getting worse. I think there may be some underlying brain damage from a bad fight I got in while drunk a couple years ago. I was able to pull it together for full-time recruiting and came out with an offer, but I'm sitting in class right now and literally can't focus at all on anything these professors are saying for more than 12 seconds (adderall seems to make it worse, honestly). My concern is that this is an indicator that my ADHD will make my job more difficult when I start full-time. Thoughts? Tips? Anyone else ever deal with severe ADHD in IB?
Medication and therapy. Also really challenge yourself at work. if you're not being pushed to your limits then it will become easier to become distracted. I think it's difficult but hopefully you can develop discipline to check your work and be thorough
I had ADHD and have done MMA and Jiu Jitsu for a lot of years (I’ve been hit in the head more times than I’d like to count). I’m in energy IB now as an associate (now A3). It was hard at first, but it’s manageable.
What has worked for me is getting off the medication, keeping a workout routine when busy, and carefully watching what you eat. Don’t do anything to affect your dopamine system (I drink beer, but that’s it). If you do that, I think you should be fine! I feel like it’s more of an advantage because you can task switch
Finally
-
I want to help on this. You may get some snide answers, but I have ADHD and work a demanding energy I banking job. I often feel like my path to get here was so non-linear compared to my colleagues and very strange. I find that careless mistakes can be more prevalent- have someone show you on outlook how to put a delay on your e-mail server. That's helped tremendously.
Furthermore, rely on an analyst or someone below you to take a second look. I've found that (as an associate) having analysts run through a page flip help a lot.
On models, definitely spend time stress testing before turning.
With clients, pre-rehearse a few main points to lean on.
Finally, and this is hard- DO NOT get sucked up into other things while on the phone.
Reach out anytime. It's a real struggle. Also remember you have serious strengths- you're likely much more communicative than your more awkward colleagues-
"If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking that it's stupid"- Albert Einstein
Stay OFF medication. It's not the answer. If you must do it, strattera may be better than adderall based on the idea that it's not dopamine based (which adderal, ritalin, etc.) are. If I ever get rich, I will be giving back by telling folks not to do this
do you know anyone who has used it? I've been looking into it since adderall etc. is just way too intense and not god for you in the long run
Any thoughts on Ritalin?
Can you provide more color on this? I am sitting on a prescription for adderal and am facing a decision paralysis on whether or not to try it.
Me too, just got diagnosed this spring, not sure if I want to actually take medication though.
Would You Rather:
I have it pretty bad and you can tell where I come out on medication. I know a LOT of people that take Adderall for their "ADD" and just turn into bigger idiots on speed. It's hard, but you'll get used to coping. The saving grace for me has been that as long as I'm busy and engaged I can focus. But like if I'm on note-taking duties and not actually participating in a long-winded meeting I'll literally end up with like three bullet points on the page and 30 random internet tabs on geopolitics open.
Quam unde eos repellat iusto provident quidem fugiat. Qui culpa et ut tenetur officiis. Dolorum hic mollitia natus. Quo harum tempora qui illo dolores facilis ipsam. Enim vel possimus quas veniam explicabo exercitationem iure rerum.
Quia voluptatem quo officiis quis error et. Maxime tenetur at soluta ea expedita quas. Quia ipsa et velit porro enim.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...